rockwizz
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2007
Posts: 971
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Post by rockwizz on Mar 30, 2011 23:36:09 GMT -5
Gang...I'm not sure I understand what re-charging means...The way I've been doing it is getting rid of the slurry that's already there and then putting the stones back with new water, and new grit....
What I'm hearing in a previous thread is that you can just open the barrell and put more grit, and then sealing it and starting back up?
Can someone with more experience help me here?
Thanks
Ozzy
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Post by Toad on Mar 31, 2011 1:04:12 GMT -5
Everyone has different techniques. I prefer a complete recharge. Any reiused grit will be broken down beyond its original state and won't be as effective at grinding away rock. If you add new grit to old, I believe the cutting ppower of the new will be 'dulled' by the old slurry.
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Mar 31, 2011 1:12:03 GMT -5
Ozzy keep the thick slurry, best to have it like a thick pancake mix. Just add a few table spoons of the grit your using. depending on the weight in your tumbler. right now i`m running a double hopper on a vibra sonic and i just add a spoon full and a few squirts of water. daily some time three time and add just enough water to wet the material. Vibra sonics best to keep on the dry side.
Rotary's thick mix slurry. well i think you knew this. though to much mud and the grit stops cutting.
In the vibras now, 2nd week i have rinse the stone twice now.
Jack
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Post by susand24224 on Mar 31, 2011 11:46:49 GMT -5
Hi--I do both, depending upon how much hurry I am in and the nature of what I am tumbling.
For example, I am tumbling some desert picture stone right now that grinds down very quickly and creates a very thick slurry. If I simply added more grit to it I would have something to thick to be effective.
If I have something where I am having trouble getting any slurry advanced beyond slightly off color water, I will add more grit without changing water, etc.
For the others, it depends upon how much of a hurry I am in. If I have a deadline, particular on 60/90, I will open after 3-4 days and add more grit and perhaps make water adjustments if the slurry is too thick.
A side note: I always rinse off and check a few, regardless of whether I am changing water, etc. If I see a "problem," such as fractures developing, I do a complete change simply so I can take a closer look at the rocks.
Different methods depending upon my circumstances have worked for me.
Susan
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,471
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Post by Sabre52 on Mar 31, 2011 20:42:21 GMT -5
This is just my opinion but I do a complete recharge. I used to use slurry and just add more grit but when I actually started keeping track of progress in a more scientific manner. I came to the conclusion that some of the other folks were right and too much slurry slows the grinding process. It also keeps making the barrel heavier and heavier as you are adding more weight and removing none. If you completely change out the barrel, you can add more rough to make up for the weight reduction due to grinding, keep the same barrel weight, and wind up processing more rock..Mel
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 1, 2011 2:27:20 GMT -5
Hi Ozzey,
If you put back the slurry or goop why bother to do a "recharge" ?
1 - The orignal grit will be broken down, 2 - the slurry will be full of rock mud/Patricles (or the original charge hasent worked ) 3 - The new grind wont be as shap due to all the mud added (as Mel above says )
I used to use a little to "Seed " the barrel but now use a cleaner method
If you want a carrier use a clean one, Walpaper paste Granuals or Ivory soap and get the maxium cut from the new grit,
They should be no grit of the orignal size in the slurry if there is you are adding to much grit to the batch
In a 6lb barrel I run at 42RPM for 6 days and all the 80 Grit is well broken down (I do a sample every now and again to check this )
I have tried to wash out the mud and re use the broken down grit but it is more trouble than it is worth ,
jack Yorkshire uk
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emyhro4048
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 396
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Post by emyhro4048 on Apr 4, 2011 20:54:13 GMT -5
I have alway's done a complete recharge. Some of us do just add more to the existing slurry, however, I have not tried this method.
Ed M.
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rockwizz
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2007
Posts: 971
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Post by rockwizz on Apr 5, 2011 21:51:55 GMT -5
Keep' m coming great suggestions
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,342
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Post by quartz on Apr 5, 2011 22:24:25 GMT -5
This afternoon [and evening] I changed out both 5 gallon barrels on our big unit. In one of the barrels I'm running some extremely rough "hillside" carnelian for youngest son. I ran two runs of 16, yes sixteen, grit and a run of 80, each run two weeks long, without cleaning at all between runs. Just opened it up and added more grit. This is the first time I've tried w/o cleaning between runs, and it turned out very well, good breakdown and grind. Got the notion to try it here on the forum. I had about a teaspoon of 16 in the bottom of the barrel when I cleaned it out, had put in 10 lbs. of 16 and 5 lbs. of 80. Jake said he wanted a little "nature" left on the rocks, and the larger aren't totally cleaned up, but smaller ones are. The load will net out about 45 lbs. at finish. I think running the larger barrels and rocks [up to a pound] contributes to my success with this.
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Apr 6, 2011 8:14:23 GMT -5
I'm with Mel, I do a complete grit/water change when I recharge.
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Apr 6, 2011 13:31:06 GMT -5
I'm with Mel and MikeS too, change grit and water. Blessed
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